Driving dangers and the Council meeting

June 11th, 2010

It seems that every time there is an accident on our roads or an unwelcome health diagnosis involving family or friends or someone we are simply acquainted to, we take an extra interest in driving carefully or leading a more healthy lifestyle… for a while. The car accident this week resulting in serious injuries to Cr Anne Nioa and the extremely sad loss of a well loved and treasured father and husband really brings home how fragile our existence truly is. Life can literally change in an instant.

The saying about living for today as if there is possibly no tomorrow rings loudly. Evey time I hop into my car I honestly don’t think this drive will be my last ever, but the reality is that driving is a dangerous activity because a small loss of attention or a wrong decision can have such tragic consequences. My heart goes out to the family and friends of everyone touched by the trauma’s of road accidents and I wish Anne a very speedy recovery.

This week at Council we approved a 4 storey building on the Esplanade at Pialba near the Sapphire development. We rejected two shovel ready applications and approved several others and also approved a reconfiguration or amalgamation of some blocks in the Maryborough CBD to better provide access to adjacent businesses and car parking.

I asked a question about amending the current Hervey Bay Planning Scheme in relation to the Pialba CBD. I am concerned that the area needs better zoning to accomodate the eventual sized CBD precinct that our city will require. The current scheme focuses development around the Main St/Torquay Rd area and the Boat Harbour Dve area is treated differently. I would also like Council to consider opportunities for commercial/retail development alongside Main St to the South of BHD. Do we really want housing alongside a 4 lane section of road that will be one of the busiest in the city? Council officers will prepare a response and Council can then consider what it would like to do in relation to this issue.

Pialpa Place have lodged an application for a further extension which would see the joining up under roof of the two sections. This seems to be the expected and logical progression for that shopping centre but it is very disappointing that Centro is not looking like commencing construction on their approved extensions any time soon. I have waited for nearly 10 years now, to see the access to Centro directly via Main St become a reality and am still waiting. Don’t forget you can view applications via PD Online found via the Council home page.

Lastly a plea to our residents. All the retailers that I speak to throughout our region, are struggling. Retailers are locked into leases and have costs they simply can’t reduce when times get tough like they are right now. Please consider shopping locally if you can possibly afford to. Just a few dollars spent here and there will assist our local small businesses to survive.

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